The Coen Bros next film will be the 1950s comedy Hail Caesar

Joel and Ethan Coen have announced their next film following the acclaimed INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS. The Coens will next helm the comedy HAIL CAESAR, a project they have been developing for quite some time, but there is a catch. HAIL CAESAR will not be the film we previously heard about, at least not in the way it was originally envisioned.

According to Deadline, HAIL CAESAR will tell the story "about a fixer in Hollywood circa 1950s who works for the studios to protect the stars of the day". A comedy, HAIL CAESAR could easily be a mix of comedy and noir like some of the siblings' best movies like THE BIG LEBOWSKI and BARTON FINK. The duo have a long history of dark comedy and this could be yet another.

The Coens previously indicated they were working on a movie set in Ancient Rome, which begs the question as to whether the title HAIL CAESAR ties into that project at all. But, there was also talk after NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN about HAIL CAESAR which, at that time, was going to star George Clooney. Back then, The Coens hinted about the film to The LA Times.

"HAIL CAESAR" is a movie that George Clooney keeps announcing to the press every couple of years, and it doesn't even exist as a script; it's only an idea," says Joel. "We kind of teased George with the opportunity to play another numskull. He was totally up for it. Part of the 'Numskull Trilogy' with George [with O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? and INTOLERABLE CRUELTY]."

I would love to see George Clooney reunite with The Coens for another comedy. BURN AFTER READING was good but Clooney had a minor role there. He could easily play a 1950s fixer and it would be nice to see him back in a comedy. Here's hoping that happens.

HAIL CAESAR has no release date, but expect that whenever it arrives it will be an Oscar contender.